PSU technology students to present 'The Amazing Race'

April 24, 2013 12:00AM

Byron McKay has long been a huge fan of the hit reality show “The Amazing Race.”

“With the exception of a few in the first season,” he said, “I’m pretty sure I’ve seen every episode of every season. It’s such a great show.”

On Thursday, April 25, McKay and several other Pittsburg State University technology education majors will host their own version of the show at Liberal (Mo.) Elementary School. The project, set to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is the latest of the annual, elementary-school-based spring programs for technology education majors.

As part of the project, the Liberal students will visit several stations that represent different countries around the world, each stop including a task and an educational lesson designed by the PSU students.

“Just like in the show, the students will go through a series of tasks and adventures in a variety of places,” Mike Neden, associate professor in department of technology and workforce learning, said. “Our PSU students have designed and built all of the different stations, as well as the games and lessons that will be presented.”

McKay, who graduated from Liberal High School in 2002 and whose daughter is a kindergarten student in Liberal, said he’s excited to see the PSU version of “The Amazing Race” in action.

“I’ve been hoping to get a technology education program started in Liberal, so I kind of pushed for this to take place there,” he said. “It’s very important that students in these rural schools have these types of opportunities. It’s a fun concept, and I’m excited to see the students go through it.”

Neden said these projects give the PSU students an opportunity to teach in fun and interesting ways.

“What it does is give them the chance to break out of the traditional classroom mold and present lessons in ways that are both fun and educational,” he said. “The elementary students have a blast going through these projects, and they’re learning a lot at the same time. It’s a new way of teaching and one that we’re very excited to present.”